KEY POINTS:
Rove McManus has cancelled his television variety show for the rest of the year following the death of his wife, Belinda Emmett.
The much-loved Australian actor lost her battle with cancer, dying at the age of 32 in Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital on Saturday.
In a short statement
on his website, McManus said he had no plans to return to work for the rest of the year.
"At the moment I have no plans for Rove Live for the rest of 2006," he said.
"This is a very difficult period for all of us and some time away is the best thing for me right now.
"In the meantime, I want to extend my sincerest thanks for all of your heartfelt messages and condolences.
"That Belinda meant so much to so many people genuinely means a lot to me."
Prime Minister John Howard was among those offering tributes to Emmett.
Mr Howard said he was saddened to hear of her death.
"She fought a very courageous battle against cancer," he said.
"On behalf of [my wife] Janette and myself, I extend my deepest sympathies to her husband, Rove McManus, and her family and friends."
Emmett's family issued a statement asking for privacy.
"It is with great sadness we advise that Belinda Emmett's battle with cancer has ended," the statement said.
"Those close to her have requested respect for their privacy at this time."
Emmett grew up on the New South Wales Central Coast and got her acting break when she appeared on popular long-running soap Home and Away, playing Rebecca Fisher/Nash, between 1996 and 1999.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer while on the show in 1998, at age 24.
The actor successfully underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumour, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy.
In 2001, while working on Seven hospital drama All Saints, Emmett was diagnosed with secondary bone cancer.
"Our deepest sympathy is extended to Belinda's family, who have supported her through this illness," the Seven Network said in a statement.
"During Belinda's time on Home and Away and All Saints, she made many long-lasting friendships.
"Her acting ability and her warmth made her a joy to work with and her spirit will be remembered."
Emmett and McManus, who went on to be known as television's golden couple, met at the opening of Fox Studios in Sydney in 1999.
The couple became engaged in July 2004 and married in January 2005, at Mary Immaculate Church in Waverley, in Sydney's east.
"We're kindred spirits," Emmett told a newspaper at the time.
Rove Live screens in New Zealand on TV3.
- AAP